Meditation can open a can of worms in our psychology. This is a surprise to many people. I have often asked my self the same question that is explored in the first paragraph of this blog. For people who are dealing with illness, such as cancer; care must be taken whilst developing a practice that will assist and not detract from their recovery. Many people around the Globe are turning toward Buddhist practices of meditation. This excellent blog brings to light something that is little discussed in meditation circles – the dangers and issues that can be associated with meditation.
Meditation can open a can of worms in our psychology. This is a surprise to many people. I have often asked my self the same question that is explored in the first paragraph of this blog (see below).
For people who are dealing with illness, such as cancer; care must be taken whilst developing a practice that will assist and not detract from their recovery.
Many people around the Globe are turning toward Buddhist practices of meditation.
This excellent blog brings to light something that is little discussed in meditation circles – the dangers and issues that can be associated with meditation. I also suggest that you read http://youreternalself.com/meditation.htm
Can meditation be powerful enough to impact chronic illness? Is there any conclusive evidence that the mind via meditative practices can “cure” or influence the growth of cancer”? With rising healthcare costs more and more people are turning to self-help books and natural methods in an attempt to ‘cure’ cancer.
PART ONE : Can meditation be powerful enough to impact chronic illness? Is there any conclusive evidence that the mind via meditative practices can “cure” or influence the growth of cancer”? With rising healthcare costs more and more people are turning to self-help books and natural methods in an attempt to ‘cure’ cancer. ‘The mind can cure cancer concept’ is not new. Every few decades, the notion of meditation as a ‘cure’ for cancer, seems to be recycled into public awareness. In today’s show, with 40 years experience, I will share personal insights from clinical practice & discuss the historical timeline of meditative practices and cancer. I also discuss in general terms, the realistic impact of meditative practices on health and wellbeing and help to put into perspective; it’s role in healing. Listen free to air or download from iTunes:
As I researched the latest finding on what meditation can and cant do; the aspects that stood out are as follows:
1. When we look at stories of ‘cures’ associated with Meditation or other event such as prayer healing etc – There are many anecdotes where blind faith comes into play. Over centuries people have had a need to believe in a greater force that gives us faith and hope to go on and to make sense of life. When we examine these stories we often have no idea of their true origin. Was someone mistaken when they diagnosed a cancer? Beliefs run strong, as do people’s ideologies and need to see & believe in miracles; it is difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. Just because something is written or appears to be so – doesn’t mean it is fact.
A humorous story illustrates how easy it is to base an opinion on incomplete facts. John Locke (1632-1704) related this story about the Dutch ambassador and the king of Siam: While describing his country, Holland, to the king, the ambassador mentioned that at times it was possible for an elephant to walk on water. The king rejected the idea and felt that the ambassador was lying to him. However, the ambassador was merely describing something that was beyond the king’s personal experience. The king did not realize that when water freezes and becomes ice, it can support the weight of an elephant. This seemed impossible to the king because he did not have all the facts.
The issue with meditation in terms of health value is that it has been promoted in some literature and journals to be a cure or a significant part of a cure for cancer. A wide range of meditative practises clearly can assist cancer patients or those with serious illness – helping with improving life quality and awareness contemplation as life itself is challenged – that is by a diagnosis of a serious illness. However, Claims of cancer being cured by meditation alone are often misguided or misreported. Look for the science. Was there proof by biopsy? Has the whole story been reported? Could there be other logical reasons for a recovery? This is important as for example, cancer patients quote again and again … “If Ian Gawler can do it ( cure himself of cancer ) then I can do it too”. More on this in next blog.
That brings me to looking at some the facts of how meditation/stress reduction techniques can be proven to impact some of our body’s restorative systems and how it can be simply and practically used everyday by simply being you. See Resources below. I like what Thich Nhat Hanh, author The Miracle of Mindfulness said about meditation:
“Hanh warns that meditation should not be an escape from reality. On the contrary, it should lead to an increased awareness of reality.
Hanh summarizes the lessons by presenting a story about the three wondrous answers to the questions — What is the best time to do a thing? Who are the most important people to work with? and What is the most important thing to do at all times?
Hanh suggests that we treat each of our activities as an opportunity for being aware: Walking, we should be aware that we are walking.
Breathing,-we should be aware of our breathing. We should not focus on anything other than the thing that we are doing. One of the key methods that Hanh presents is learning to be aware of breathing.
Grace Gawler Interviews Dr Bruce Whelan a specialist GP who has been in Practice for 45 years. A previous guest on the show, episode titled ‘Spinning Gold from Straw: How trauma transformed a Doctor’s Life and Practice’; today I will be asking him about his role as a GP. ersonal involvement with the Bali bombings in 2002 made an impact of his life & practice leading to his interest in psychiatry. His special areas of interest are general psychiatry, drug addiction medicine, pain management & issues related to cancer medicine.
Navigating the Cancer Maze – with Grace Gawler:
How to Navigate the Cancer Maze with the Help of your General Practitioner—Cancer Practice & Emotional Support
Listen to the Show-Free to download for listening later or listen online:
Dr Bruce Whelan is a specialist GP who has been in Practice for 45 years. A previous guest on the show, episode titled ‘Spinning Gold from Straw: How trauma transformed a Doctor’s Life and Practice’; today I will be asking him about his role as a GP. The role of the GP is ever-changing; once the family doctor who made house calls and knew the names of all of a patient’s family members, the role of the GP has morphed into rapid delivery medicine with time constraints. However, there is a new and emerging role for GP’s in cancer and supportive Care medicine. The need is great for patients and families and a new model of care is timely. A graduate of the University of Queensland School of Medicine-1967, Dr Bruce Whelan has been in general practice since 1971.
He also specializes in pain management, so I will be specifically asking him about pain management in cancer medicine.
BIO DR Bruce Whelan – Specialist GP
Dr Bruce Whelan has been in general practice since 1971. He has worked in challenging rural Australia practice environments including indigenous health.
With 45 years experience, his ethic is treating the whole person using the best of modern psychology & general psychiatry in combination with the best of modern medicine. Personal involvement with the Bali bombings in 2002 made an impact of his life & practice leading to his interest in psychiatry. His special areas of interest are general psychiatry, drug addiction medicine, pain management & issues related to cancer medicine.
He has been involved with teaching medical students at Bond & Griffith Medical Schools Gold Coast Australia. He has a deeply inquiring mind, sharp differential diagnosis skills, & his experience as a GP who understands his patients’ grief and trauma is invaluable. He lives on a yacht, loves fishing, oil painting, classical music & life!
In the Australian Media this week, Medical Reporter Julia Medew writes: A 55-year-old man recently presented to a Brisbane hospital with a black hole in his temple after applying an unproven alternative medicine known as “black salve” to a lesion on his face, which he believed was cancerous. I discussed this media piece and so called remedy in my last segment of Navigating the Cancer Maze on Voice America today.
Holistic or Hole-istic? – Naturopathic Medicine was Never Meant to do This!
In the Australian Media this week, Medical Reporter Julia Medew writes: A 55-year-old man recently presented to a Brisbane hospital with a black hole in his temple after applying an unproven alternative medicine known as “black salve” to a lesion on his face, which he believed was cancerous. I discussed this media piece and so called remedy in my last segment of Navigating the Cancer Maze on Voice America today.
Results of Using Black Salve
Writing in the Medical Journal of Australia, doctors from the Princess Alexandra Hospital said the man had been applying the unlicensed product, which is sold online as an alternative skin cancer treatment, to his face for four months.
The doctors, Natalie Ong, Eric Sham and Brandon Adams, said black salve preparations often contained an alkaloid derived from bloodroot and zinc chloride which could both eat away at tissue, leading to significant scarring and disfigurement. “In the absence of a biopsy, some patients may commence alternative treatment before attaining a diagnosis of skin cancer, and a very real risk of recurrence and metastasis (cancer spreading) remains….
Having worked with cancer patients for most of my naturopathic life; I am well aware of the nature of cancer and the inherent dangers in applying Black Salve to human or animal tissues. Far too many times I have seen first hand the destruction caused by this so called natural remedy.
( Folks there is nothing natural about zinc chloride which is often compounded with Bloodroot to create the paste – that is recommended to be applied to many different types of skin lesions). Zinc Chloride is an escharotic and tissue fixative; not to messed with! It is claimed by proponents that “the cancer salve made from zinc Chloride and Bloodroot is safe and effective, and has never harmed anyone, in thousands of years of use”.
The photograph above is just one small example of the damage I have seen from applying this paste. Cancer patients have used it on breast tumors, all kinds of skin tumors malignant and benign. One client used it on her genital area for an SCC ( squamous cell carcinoma)! The erosion and pain was horrendous. My own patient records with photographs of tissue damage are vile viewing. Many melanoma patients are delaying treatment due to this remedy and their belief in it to “cure cancer”. Professor Dr Alexander Herzog, Germany keeps a photo album of the black salve disasters he has to try to repair when it all goes belly-up for patients. Gaping holes in breast tissue, some large enough to insert a fist are displayed page after page…and then there is the mother who applied the Black Salve paste to a melanoma located on her son’s skull. She used the paste for 6 months – you could see his brain through the hole! Professor Herzog says he cant understand why cancer patients are using this paste.
The whole history of Moh’s chemo-surgery – margin controlled microscopic surgery using zinc Chloride – an interesting read.
What is about this preparation that gives it allure? Is it the mystique of purported native American history? Is it the supposed safety level that is claimed? Is it because a former Hollywood movie star has promoted it? Is it because we hate science and love cottage medicines?
Scab created by black salve
The allure has even defied logic as many of Naturopathic friends, not only cancer patients believed in the salve to the extent that the paste “got it all” only to die from their metastatic melanoma and squamous cell carcinomas. Why is it that even bringing science and logic to this preparation will generate hate mail?
Personally I am tired of attending Black Salve funerals. I am glad it is banned in Australia however you can find it all around the internet still and even in the back end under the counter of some health food stores! My best advice – DON’T GO THERE! First and foremost – Find out what you are dealing with before embarking upon any treatment and please realize that this can be a sinister remedy with associated complications that make chemotherapy side effects look like a walk in the park!
In 2012, the Therapeutic Goods Administration warned people to avoid black salve, which is also known as red salve, Cansema, or Bloodroot.
More coming soon about discussions from today’s Navigating the Cancer Maze on Voice America- please visit again……
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Navigating the Cancer Maze, Grace Gawler interviews David Tuccaro Jr about his Survival story and book ‘Bad to the Bone | The True Story of David Tuccaro Jr’. The book is authored by Award-winning Author and Oprah’s Ambassador of Hope, Marala Scott. The story is about David’s recovery from ALL, a childhood leukemia. The book is aptly named; leukemia being an illness that begins in bone marrow. As an adult with a leukemia that is predominantly seen in children; at 25 years of age, David’s prognosis was very poor.
If you want to be inspired by a well written, poignant survival story about recovery from Leukemia…
Then this is the book to buy!
In fact…….. if you only buy 1 book this year – then this is the one! David Tuccaro Jr’s story is powerful and well told. ‘Bad to the Bone-’The True Story of David Tuccaro Jr is a book about his recovery from ALL – a childhood leukemia is aptly named; leukemia being an illness that begins in bone marrow. As an adult with a leukemia that is predominantly seen in children; at 25 years of age, David’s prognosis was very poor.
On today’s Navigating the Cancer Maze, I had the pleasure of interviewing David about his memoirs and about Award-winning Author, Oprah’s Ambassador of Hope, Marala Scott, who transcribed his story of Leukemia diagnosis through to his remission. This episode is full of inspiring tips and tools for anyone who is navigating their own cancer maze. You can also download the show or listen on audio streaming at:
At just 25 years old, approximately seven years ago, David Tuccaro Jr, a Mikisew Cree First Nation man from Fort McMurray Canada, was diagnosed with leukemia. He was facing a death sentence. His story is poignant, raw in its honesty and an inspiration to those who are navigating the leukemia maze.
Navigating the Cancer Maze serves as a reliable source of information for cancer patients and families. Every guest on the show has a well researched and authentic story to offer to the community. Such is David Tuccaro Jr’s story; a tumultuous journey of self-discovery through pain, hopelessness and the feeling of inadequacy to inspire others to overcome adversity.
After finding his purpose, he is living out his passion of teaching others to save lives by registering to become a bone marrow donor.
David says:“When I was going through what I’d gone through with the leukemia, I had my doctors telling me one thing, what to expect, and my family and friends telling me what to expect, but I didn’t have a survivor telling me what to expect; that’s what the book is really about, to answer some of these questions. There needs to be somebody that has gone through this to give you the hope that you really need to get through it.”
David Tuccaro Jr is a powerful advocate bringing awareness to the life-saving impact that a bone marrow donor unselfishly provides. David is alive after years of hospital procedures thanks to his spirit, medical science, support and the altruism of one man who donated his bone marrow. Four years after the lifesaving transplant David met his bone marrow donor, Christian Holtmann from Germany. He says: “I’ll never forget the first meeting I had with Christian; it was the greatest moment of my life.” David Tuccaro Jr hopes his and Christian’s story will inspire others to donate bone marrow. “That is what saved my life”, David said.
To buy the Book or you are interested in becoming a Bone Marrow Donor – please visit: www.DavidTuccaro.com
The book is available in Hard Cover or eBook – Kindle Kobo etc.BUY ON AMAZON
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Marala Scott is an Award-winning Author and Oprah’s Ambassador of Hope, (In Our House: Perception vs. Reality and Surrounded By Inspiration). Marala Scott takes you inside the horrific battle of a young man with Leukemia and shares the unique perspective of his bone marrow donor. The Story of David Tuccaro Jr. will give you strength and inspiration never before felt! For more information on Marala Scott visit www.maralascott.com.
“What he describes is that journey we are all seeking; it is that transformation to a better life.”
–Dr. Gary Ruelas D.O., Ph.D.
“This should be a television show done by a conscientious film maker— This story is nothing less than an epic.”
–Peter C. Newman, Legendary Journalist and Author
Last week on Navigating the Cancer Maze on Voice America Health and Wellness Channel, I mentioned a immune treatment that is being acclaimed as a value add therapy for many cancer patients – in particular, those dealing with ovarian Cancer…
Last week on Navigating the Cancer Maze on Voice America Health and Wellness Channel, I mentioned a immune treatment that is being acclaimed as a value add therapy for many cancer patients – in particular, those dealing with ovarian Cancer…
The links and information follows:DENVAXTM – DENDRITIC CELL THERAPY – Customized Cell-based Cancer Immunotherapy INSTITUTE OF CELLULAR THERAPIES ( source )
Ovarian Cancer – Dendritic cell vaccine shows promise
Ovarian cancer: A 58 yr old lady was diagnosed of cancer ovary in June 2004. Her CA 125 antigen marker was positive and in the range of 10,000 units. She was operated upon and given six cycles of chemotherapy. She recovered from her disease and her marker was also within normal range. After one year, the CA 125 began rising and she presented to us with an increased titre of 400 units. There were signs of recurrence, and she opted for DC (DENVAX) therapy in June 2005. She has completed three years of receiving DENVAX. She is free of disease, proven both clinically and by radiological examinations. Her CA 125 marker is also stable for the last three years.
Another treatment greatly assisting Ovarian cancer patients is used by Hallwang Private Oncology Clinic in Germany. Removab – a trifunctional antibody has been used at the Clinic for many years Click Here for information
Last week I also discussed a new book by controversial American Cancer Physician Dr David Agus. His latest book A Short Guide to a Long Life by David B. Agus, MD, is published by Simon & Schuster ($24.99) and available on Amazon.
In his #1 New York Times bestselling book, The End of Illness, Dr. David B. Agus shared what he has learned from his work as a pioneering cancer doctor and researcher, revealing the innovative steps he takes to prolong the lives of not only cancer patients but all those hoping to enjoy a vigorous, lengthy life.
Now Dr. Agus has turned his analysis into a practical and concise illustrated handbook for everyday living. He believes optimal health begins with our daily habits.
In A Short Guide to a Long Life, David Agus espouses the idea that prolonged good health starts with lots of smallish changes today. Much of the advice – don’t skip breakfast; avoid sunburn – will be familiar. He notes that Hippocrates made many of the same observations – “Walking is man’s best friend”; “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” – in the 4th century BC. Yet the truth is that few of us have so far incorporated them into our lives.
Some of Agus’s rules are cute: for instance, “Smile – the act itself will trigger the release of pain-killing, brain-happy endorphins and serotonin.” Others seem quirky – he’s adamantly against high heels: they cause inflammation, which can raise your lifetime risk of heart attack, strokes and cancer, he says.
A few of his dictums will give pause for uncomfortable thought. Rule 56 says to avoid airport backscatter X-ray scanners. Until science can prove they’re safe, Agus says, “I’ll be requesting the manual pat-down massage when I go through airports. You should, too.”
He debunks fads: rule 60 is “No Juicing”. “Does the body really like consuming 10 carrots all at once? Or a pound of radishes? I think not.” Or how about “Eat real food”. That means avoiding anything in a packet. It doesn’t matter if it announces itself to be good for you somehow by being, say, “cholesterol free” or “antioxidant rich”. “If they have to tell you why you should be eating it, you shouldn’t be eating it.”
In the book, Agus’s voice is calm and reassuring. In person, it’s more urgent. At one point he asks me if I’ve had a flu shot this year. I haven’t. “You should get it now,” he says. “If you get the flu, in a decade from now your chance of cancer or heart disease is elevated … So go and get that flu shot if you want to play with those grandkids. It’s a sore arm.”
Like most cancer doctors he sees the advanced disease; what can’t be reversed. He wants to instil a new way of thinking about cancer. It’s not something that visits us from outside, he says. We don’t “get” cancer. Rather, we need to stop our bodies from “cancering”. Cancer is a verb, not a noun. Some rules for living longer – A Short Guide to a Long Life by David B. Agus, MD
– Caffeine, especially from traditional sources, may have protective, anti-cancer properties. But moderation is key.
– Smiling triggers the release of pain-killing, brain-happy endorphins and serotonin.
– Uncomfortable shoes cause inflammation that can have an impact on your entire system … Inflammation has been linked to heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, autoimmune diseases and diabetes.
– Track your movement during the day with an accelerometer, and develop a daily personal activity target. Being sedentary is about as bad for you as smoking.
– Cleanliness counts. Wash your hands regularly, especially after exposure to germy things such as bathrooms.
– To reap the benefits of exercise, including all those biochemical reactions that lower your risk of illness, aim to break a sweat and get your heart pumping fast for a minimum of 15 minutes a day.
– Moderate alcohol intake, especially from red wine, can reduce one’s risk of heart disease. This benefit does have a caveat: drinking can potentially increase one’s risk for breast cancer, and drinking too much is far worse for your heart than being a teetotaller. Agus has a glass of red a day.
– Cold-water fish, such as salmon, sardines, tuna, trout, anchovies, herring, halibut, cod, black cod, mackerel and mahi-mahi are excellent sources of high-quality protein, healthy fats and naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.
– A daily low-dose aspirin (75mg) has been shown to reduce the risk of developing common malignant cancers in the lungs, colon and prostate by 46 per cent. So if you’re basking in the glory of middle age, this is something to discuss with your doctor. It’s the cheapest fountain of youth around and requires no prescription. Read the article about Dr David Agus in the Australian Good Weekend Magazine
The search for truth in healing stories is imperative for patients whose lives really depend upon it. Diagnosis cancer! It may be you or your husband or wife or father or mother. It may be your children or friends. People who are near and dear to you. When it comes to a diagnosis of cancer, the stakes are particularly high. So – the question is straightforward really – Do we want to be told lies or truth?
This year marks my 40 years working with cancer patients.The search for truth in healing stories is imperative for patients whose lives really depend upon it. Diagnosis cancer! It may be you or your husband or wife or father or mother. It may be your children or friends. People who are near and dear to you. When it comes to a diagnosis of cancer, the stakes are particularly high. So – the question is straightforward really – Do we want to be told lies or truth?
If asked about buying a product in a store – do we accept being lied to about its efficacy? No – most of us would be angry, depending on the cost of the product we might feel so cheated , we make a complaint to the Australian Consumer watchdog, the ACCC for making claims that are untrue….that is the product did not live up to its claims as advertised and the expectations of the purchaser.
Well the equivalent is happening right under our noses with society’s most highly vulnerable group of people – cancer patients!
Dr Julie Crews PhD- Searching for truth in cancer healing stories.
As the groundswell of would-be cancer entrepreneurs & patient experts claiming “I cured myself Naturally from Cancer” gains the momentum of a tsunami, one Western Australian woman, DR JULIE CREWS, a doctor of Business Ethics, is questioning why so many people have jumped on the ‘cure-all bandwagon’ to earn their living and why it has been allowed to go unchecked and under the radar for so long.
On today’s Voice America Radio show “Navigating the Cancer Maze, Dr Julie Crews takes an investigative look through the magnifying glass to examine new trends in cancer entrepreneurship where patients who are either still in recovery themselves or who claim they have beaten the odds without medical evidence, are influencing the treatment choices of millions of other cancer patients around the globe. Another group of patients influencing choices are those who have had adequate medical treatment for their cancer, but then champion their ‘cure’ to the use of dietary regimens, alternative medicine, meditation and other healing forms.
Authentic hope is a powerful ally, but false hope as a recent article published in the West Australian suggests, provides More Hype than Hope by CATHY O’LEARY, MEDICAL EDITOR February 22, 2014 Dr Crews contributed to that media piece. Select the following link to read article. MORE HYPE THAN HOPE THE WEST AUSTRALIAN DR JULIE CREWS
THE FOLLOWING IS SUMMARY OF DR CREWS TIPS as hear on Voice America’s Navigating the Cancer Maze today.
What Questions should the Cancer consumer be asking and why? What action can you take.
1. The first question is for consumers to carefully look at what the person is saying and promoting – look at the language the person is using and the claims they are making – a big one is they put down their cancer as a lesson….the fact is cancer does not discriminate. It affects good people who live healthy lives – It can affect anyone.
2. What is the background of the person(s) offering the cure-all?? Qualifications? Institutions?
3. If a person is claiming to have cured their cancer naturally, ask to see their medical records from diagnosis to recovery – remission. Ask to see medical verification. After all “Exceptional Claims require exceptional evidence” said Carl Sagan. Anecdotes and stories should not too be mistaken for truth.
4. If I follow this person’s advice – will they have any responsibility regrading my outcome? As happens in the medical profession or other qualified professional health fields- Will their insurance cover me in case of failure? (Not likely)!
3. If they are promoting products which cost money, are they receiving a ‘kickback’ or indeed do they have shares in the company?
4. What do they do when people ask questions and it challenges things they may promote? The more they have invested in the promotion the more they have to lose and will fight very hard to discredit anyone who may disagree with them.
5. Check out what they do if someone posts something that doesn’t maintain the image they are promoting!
6. Email them and ask questions and see what responses you get.
7. If they do speak of ‘medical’ doctors, they may use terms like ‘intuitive practitioner’ ‘integrative practitioner’ – the thing is, you only get THEIR version of their disease – it could be wrong…… and often is.
More soon on this important topic…..
The subject of viruses and their role in causing or accelerating cancer is a fascinating subject. It is a topic that is often discussed in Germany where specific tests and antisense treatments are implemented to treat oncoviruses. (An oncovirus is a virus that can cause cancer.) If you missed my interview with Prof Ian Frazer last September, this special episode was encored today on Voice America on Grace Gawler’s weekly show; Navigating the Cancer Maze. To link a virus to cancer in the 1980’s was contentious, but Ian Frazer persevered, convinced this needed further investigation. Now his successful research and development of a cervical cancer vaccine has sold worldwide under the brand names Gardasil and Cervarix.
The subject of viruses and their role in causing or accelerating cancer is a fascinating subject. It is a topic that is often discussed in Germany where specific tests and antisense treatments are implemented to treat oncoviruses. (An oncovirus is a virus that can cause cancer.) If you missed my interview with Prof Ian Frazer last September, this special episode was encored today on Navigating the Cancer Maze. To link a virus to cancer in the 1980’s was contentious, but Ian Frazer persevered, convinced this needed further investigation.
The Book that tells of story of one of the most important discoveries in recent medical science
Now his successful research and development of a cervical cancer vaccine has sold worldwide under the brand names Gardasil and Cervarix. To Listen to the interview select the link to Voice America below:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/76241/special-encore-presentation-navigating-the-cancer-maze-with-professor-ian-frazer
Professor Ian Frazer was born in 1953 in Glasgow, Scotland, into an academic family. He studied medicine at Edinburgh University and trained as a renal physician and clinical immunologist. He received a BSc(Med) in 1974 and an MB ChB in 1977.
In 1974, as part of his studies, Frazer spent three months at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne. In 1981 Frazer returned to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute where he continued his clinical training and undertook studies in viral immunology and autoimmunity and became particularly interested in human papilloma viruses (HPV).
In 1985 he took up a teaching position with the University of Queensland. When he moved to Brisbane he decided to continue his work with HPV, in particular HPV and cervical cancer. He was awarded a MD from the University of Melbourne in 1988. The work of Frazer with his colleague, the late molecular virologist Dr Jian Zhou, has led to the development of a vaccine which prevents infection with HPV and cervical cancer.
Prof Ian Frazer is currently CEO and Director of Research at the Translational Research Institute (TRI). Select link below to listen to interview with prof Ian Frazer:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/76241/special-encore-presentation-navigating-the-cancer-maze-with-professor-ian-frazer
The theory that cancer could be caused by a virus began with the experiments of Oluf Bang and Vilhelm Ellerman in 1908 who first show that avian erythroblastosis (a form of chicken leukemia) could be transmitted by cell-free extracts. This was subsequently confirmed for solid tumors in chickens in 1910-1911 by Peyton Rous.
By the early 1950s it was known that viruses could remove and incorporate genes and genetic material in cells. It was suggested that these new genes inserted into cells could make the cell cancerous. Many of these viral oncogenes have been discovered and identified to cause cancer.
Navigating the Cancer Maze with Grace Gawler on Voice America. I interview the co author of Spontaneous Remission, a research compilation that launched Caryle Hirshberg into the cancer spotlight when it was published in 1993 by the institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS). Co authored by the late Brendan O’Regan; the book filled a gap in research as before that time there was no standard reference for the field of spontaneous remission. It is inspiring, educative and the only published Masterpiece that has dared to research this fascinating subject.
Today on Navigating the Cancer Maze
The book, Spontaneous Remission, launched Caryle Hirshberg into the cancer spotlight when it was published in 1993 by the institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS). Co authored by the late Brendan O’Regan; the book filled a gap in research as before that time there was no standard reference for the field of spontaneous remission.
The book Spontaneous Remission – PDF downloads available see link below
The Remission Project charter at IONS was to catalogue the world’s medical literature on the subject. The result was an assembly of the largest database of medically reported cases of spontaneous remission in the world, with more than 3,500 references from more than 800 journals in 20 different languages.
Another book followed; Remarkable Recovery which in 1994 the New York Times Literary Guild Book Club named as one of three of the hottest books on the horizon. Can we go beyond the stories and apply science to the study of remarkable recoveries? This week listen to Caryle Hirshberg answer this question and hear about her life’s work studying why people heal? To listen to Caryle’s interview with me, Grace Gawler CLICK HERE
Caryle Hirshberg is a former Senior Research Associate with the Institute of Noetic Sciences she co authored Spontaneous Remission with Brendan O’Regan published in 1993. She has been involved with beneficial plant research and the Center for Integrative Medicine which researches globally, promoting pharmacological research and intelligent scientific approaches to studying into indigenous and traditional remedies. Caryle was senior Researcher for the six part documentary The Heart of Healing which became a signature series for investigation into the mystery of why people heal.
Caryle Hirshberg
In an extraordinary career, Caryle’s undergraduate study was in chemistry, mathematics and psychology at University of Florida. Her graduate work was in neurochemistry at Indiana University.
She has been involved in researching remission, neurochemistry, pharmacology, cancer biochemistry and cardiology. She has lectured widely on the subject of spontaneous remissions.
Today she is private practice. CLICK HERE to listen to this INSPIRING interview:
TO VIEW SPONTANEOUS REMISSIONS FOR FREE – SEE CHAPTERS AT THE FOLLOWING LINK.
You can download Chapters in PDF. There are some valuable and fascinating chapters on infection related remissions and a chapter on understanding of the mechanisms of cancer healing, is elegantly explained. INSPIRING & HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
This blog and Our Voice America Radio show – “Navigating the Cancer Maze” is a created as a public service by the Grace Gawler Institute for Integrated Cancer Solutions to enhance cancer education via valid and evidence based experience to help cancer patients and families make informed decisions. We are a not for profit health promotion charity with a Global impact.
If you heard the the interview with Dr Francis Seow Choen on Navigating the Cancer Maze last week – you may remember him mentioning some of the special surgical & technological techniques practiced at the Fortis Surgical Hospital Singapore. One of those therapies is InterStimTM Therapy also know as sacro neuro-modulation. This is the technique I successfully underwent in Holland in 2002-03 which was a world first for my condition.
Part 2 Interview with Dr Francis Seow Choen: Exploring InterStim TM Therapy
Resource: Colorectal solutions – not only for cancer patients!
One of Modern Technological Miracle treatments – yet no one is quite sure exactly why/how it works. But without InterStimTM Therapy – I would not be here writing this blog ! More patients need to know about this technique as it can be a solution for urinary and faecal incontinence as well as chronic constipation. Many of these issues can be caused by disturbance or damage to the pelvic nerve pathways.
If you heard the the interview with Dr Francis Seow Choen on Navigating the Cancer Maze last week – you may remember him mentioning some of the special surgical & technological techniques practiced at the Fortis Surgical Hospital Singapore. One of those therapies is InterStimTM Therapy also know as sacro neuro-modulation. This is the technique I successfully underwent in Holland in 2002-03 which was a world first for my condition.
After successful interstim replacement Singapore 2009 Grace, Pip and Dr Seow Choen
There are all kinds of reasons why the nerve supply to the anus and rectum can be disturbed. In my case it was a sudden and unexpected post surgical complication after a hysterectomy for a simple prolapse repair. When this nerve disturbance occurs, one can’t perform the natural daily function of defecation – it changes life substantially!! Having had 5 feet of damaged colon removed and 5 feet of small intestine removed – caused by impaction, As Dr Seow Choen discussed on the show, the solution for most patients is to have a surgery that makes an anus on the abdomen ( called a stoma) – where a bag is attached to collect faeces. ( This can either be an ileostomy or colostomy). For some patients this can be a solution – but for many others like myself – it can mean a deterioration of life quality, painful burns on the abdomen, herniation of the stoma area and in the case of ileostomies – the socially embarrassing issues of leaking or exploding bags! Being the first patient for InterStimTM Therapy – the surgery was extensive and invasive…but no complaints – it gave me my life back! Now 11 years later the procedure is simplified and the devices are smaller. I have had 2 devices so far and will have a replacement sometime in the next 6 months. (Because for me the battery expires as the devices needs to run on a relatively high voltage constantly) Not the case for everyone. More information – contact http://www.fortissurgicalhospital.com/our-services/interstim-therapy
What is InterStimTM therapy?
InterStimTM Therapy is an innovative treatment option for urinary and fecal incontinence. It is also used to treat constipation. InterStimTM therapy uses mild electrical impulses to stimulate sacral nerves and thereby restore the function of the bladder, bowel and external urinal and anal sphincter pathways.
This is known as sacral neuromodulation (SNM) or sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) and is a long lasting, reversible treatment that can be used effectively to treat selected patients with bladder and/or bowel dysfunction.
How does InterStimTM work?
InterstimTM
Low-intensity electrical impulses are generated by an implantable neurostimulator INS, and delivered via a conducting electrode to one of the sacral nerves.
Treatment with InterStimTM Therapy
Patients likely to respond to treatment are selected through test stimulation. Following successful testing, (>50% improvement in symptoms) patients are recommended for permanent implant.
The test stimulation takes place over several days. A thin flexible wire is inserted, under local anaesthetic, close the sacral nerves. This is taped to the skin and connected to a small external stimulator worn on the waistband.
Following a successful trial a permanent implant can be fitted, also under local anaesthetic, in the upper buttock. Once in place the neurostimulator is activated, sending mild electrical pulses to the sacral nerve. This can be adjusted for each patient, initially by the doctor, but also by the patient using a programmer (similar to a remote control).
Why was InterStimTM Therapy developed?
Treatment options in both urinary and faecal incontinence are recognized as limited, with many patients unable to achieve good symptom control with pharmacological interventions alone.
Patients’ lives are severely affected, with frequent reporting of depression, low self-esteem and restricted daily activities.
What are the patient benefits?
Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is a long-term treatment for patients with either urinary or faecal incontinence, and for those with double incontinence.
After more than five years of follow-up nearly 75% of patients with fecal incontinence maintained at least a 50% improvement.1
Its benefit is not limited to improvement in symptoms; quality of life (QoL) also increases significantly.
Its efficacy has been demonstrated in both single and multicentre prospective studies.1
Experts recognize its wide range of applications, its potential as a minimally invasive technique with a very low risk of complications,2 and as a cost-effective treatment option.3-5
INTEGRATED AND COMPREHENSIVE THERAPY
At Fortis Surgical Hospital, we offer an integrated programme with the complete spectrum of treatments required for our patients.
WHO IS SUITABLE FOR INTERSTIM TM THERAPY?
This therapy is an option for patients who have not had success with, or could not tolerate more conservative treatments such as oral medication, physical therapy and diet modification. All patients will have to undergo the trial assessment to confirm their suitability.
question that is explored in the first paragraph of this blog (see below).
